Small car safety evaluated by the IIHS

The IIHS evaluated the small car segment recently, simulating collisions with 12 small cars and crossovers. Overall, the models showcased certain shortcomings when it comes to protecting their occupants, especially during small overlap front crash testing.

This test inaugurated in 2012 assesses the consequences of an impact between the left corner of the car and another car or stationary object. Of the 12 cars evaluated, only the Mini Cooper Countryman received a grade of Good, the highest rating awarded by the IIHS.

The Ford C-Max Energi, Mitsubishi Lancer, Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ were rated as Acceptable while the Scion XB and Hyundai Veloster were ranked as Marginal. The Fiat 500L, Nissan Leaf, Nissan Juke, and Mazda 5 got the lowest grade awarded by the IIHS, Poor. Finally, the Chevrolet Volt, the only small car in the lot to be rated Top Safety Pick +, received a grade of Acceptable in the small overlap front crash evaluation.

Of the other models who did not receive a designation, the Mazda5 finished last according to the IIHS. In addition to performing poorly in the small overlap test, the Mazda5’s performance in other IIHS evaluations was lackluster.

Small cars have not performed very well during the IIHS safety evaluations. Of the subcompact cars tested in January, only the Chevrolet Spark was named Top Safety Pick. A few weeks ago, the IIHS presented a list of the safest cars for young drivers and not a single compact car was included.